High Falls is on the Oswegatchie River in the northwestern Adirondacks. From the 15-mile High Falls Loop, it is 0.5 miles off the southern boundary of the loop. The falls are not that tall, but wonderfully lively.

Getting there

From the intersection of Route 3 and Route 30 in the village of Tupper Lake, follow Route 3 toward Cranberry Lake. Follow Route 3 for 33.4 miles to CR61 (Wanakena Road) on the left. Turn left here and stay straight on the main road to South Shore Road. Follow South Shore Road for around 0.25 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. You will have to walk back up the road for a couple hundred feet on the left and walk this to its end, which is about 0.1 miles.

By the numbers

• 18.0 mile loop
• Elevation gain: 700 feet

Hiking

High Falls Loop Trail (red) extends 15 miles between the Dead Creek Flow trailhead and High Falls trailhead, which are only 0.4 miles apart on South Shore Road. There is a 220-foot change of elevation in the 0.7 miles between Janack's Landing Trail and the Cowhorn Junction Trail. There is also a 170-foot difference in elevation in a 1.2-mile stretch along Skate Creek. Otherwise the trail is fairly flat.

Camping

There are two High Falls lean-tos on the banks of the Oswegatchie River, near the end of a 0.4 mile spur trail off the High Falls Loop Trail.

Janacks Landing lean-to is on the southeastern shore of Dead Creek Flow. Access it from the water or via the 0.2-mile spur trail.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

For the experienced skier, this long trail is a nice adventure. Snowshoers will enjoy the solitude. You can do it all at once if you have the experience, but a few miles on the trail is nice too.